Home detention in cannabis case

A 45-year-old farm worker was caught with cannabis three times within three months, the Invercargill District Court has been told.

David Stearne Menzies appeared before Judge Christina Cook yesterday after admitting numerous drugs charges, including possessing cannabis leaf, utensils for smoking cannabis and equipment capable of being used to cultivate cannabis.

He also admitted possessing a .22 calibre rifle and a 12 gauge shotgun without a firearms licence and theft from a vehicle.

All offending occurred between March 28 and June 3 last year in Invercargill and Tuatapere.

He was yesterday sentenced to five months' home detention and 225 hours' community work.

The court was told police carried out a search warrant at Menzies' home on three different occasions and each time cannabis leaf and utensils for smoking it were found.

His lawyer, Keith Owen, said he was suitable for a sentence of home detention.